Castell said: “We put a one-way system in place and signs as instructed. The counter had a wipe-down surface, hand sanitiser on both doors and by the counter, and our screen arrived in the nick of time.
“I found the reopening nerve-racking. Would anyone come at all, let alone buy anything? We needn’t have worried. Customers were very sensible and didn’t handle things unnecessarily. Most importantly, they spent money. Trade has continued to be really good with people travelling a fair distance to visit us.”
It has been “a very positive start”, Castell added after reopening on June 15. “We are selling across the board but with far more pictures, prints, maps, mirrors and rugs than we normally would. I imagine that is due to people redecorating during lockdown.”
In the pipeline
With dealer Ben Cooper, she organises the Two Cs Antiques Fairs. “For our Ludlow Racecourse fair, we have some interesting plans in place and are awaiting approval before we can discuss these,” said Castell.
What can be announced is the future venue for the Two Cs Worcestershire Antiques Fair, previously held at the 19th century Chateau Impney Hotel near Droitwich, now permanently closed.
The new location is the Bank House Hotel, Bransford, Worcester, with the first fair scheduled for October 24-25. The next Ludlow Racecourse antiques fair is on Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27.
